# 159 - Centralized, Decentralized & Federated Quality Models, McKinsey Study, and QA vs. QC with Ben Locwin

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2024-10-23
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/159---Centralized--Decentralized--Federated-Quality-Models--McKinsey-Study--and-QA-vs--QC-with-Ben-Locwin-e2pvrlq

## Summary

Ben Locwin, a Healthcare Executive and Quality SME, joins host Subhi Saadeh to discuss organizational structures for quality units in life sciences, specifically comparing centralized, decentralized, and federated models. Referencing a McKinsey study of 30 pharma companies, Locwin argues that structural setup is less predictive of outcomes than quality culture and procedural rigor. The conversation clarifies the distinction between Quality Assurance (proactive prevention) and Quality Control (reactive testing), emphasizing that effective systems must be designed to make it easier to do things right than wrong.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs#t=3) Introduction: Ben Locwin and Quality Unit Independence
- [3:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs#t=199) Centralized, Decentralized, and Federated Quality Models
- [8:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs#t=481) McKinsey Study Findings on Quality Structures
- [11:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs#t=711) Designing Non-Reactive Quality Systems
- [17:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-10-23-159-centralized-decentralized-federated-quality-models-mckinsey-study-and-qa-vs#t=1033) QMS Structure and QA vs. QC Distinctions

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- McKinsey (company)
- Conway's law (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Building a Culture of Quality](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2022-05-20-building-a-culture-of-quality) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#420: MedTech Synergy: The Project Manager and Quality Professional Relationship](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-08-18-420-medtech-synergy-the-project-manager-and-quality-professional-relationship) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#390: Building a Non-BS QMS: 4 Core Principles for MedTech Success with Ashkon Rasooli](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-11-07-390-building-a-non-bs-qms-4-core-principles-for-medtech-success-with-ashkon-raso) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#440: ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!) Fundamentals of Quality & Regulatory](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-01-05-440-icymi-in-case-you-missed-it-fundamentals-of-quality-regulatory) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#352: Fundamentals of Quality & Regulatory](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-01-18-352-fundamentals-of-quality-regulatory) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

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